Customer Reviews

Never Cry Another Tear

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you liked the two most recent New Order albums, then you'll love this. It sounds very similar. I do miss Peter Hook's distinctive bass, though. That's the only thing that keeps this from five stars. Otherwise, the songwriting is well crafted, produced and full of New Order type melodies. I don't think Sink or Swim is the best choice as a lead single. Listen to a few other tracks for a better sampling of the album.

For hardcore JD/NO/Electronic fans, there is very little here to remind them of their past brilliance. The album essentially is a "bait and switch" technique..starts off with a few promising Sumner tracks and then mutates into a completely different sound with a competely different vocalist. While Jake Evans is not a bad vocalist in his own right, I don't see how his vocal style would interest any fans of New Order, nor does it complement Sumner's. Give me Neil Tennant and a synthesizer any day over this pseudo-country/coffehouse rock. Sorry Bernard, if this is the type of music you want to write now, I won't be looking forward to anymore of your releases..

Front man Bernard Sumner, drummer Stephen Morris and guitarist Phil Cunningham have joined with Blur's Alex James for Bad Lieutenant's debut album. If you're a fan of Bernard Sumner/New Order/Electronic/Joy Division you won't be disappointed with this release. Think of this as a New Order release minus Peter Hooks booming baselines.

Very reminiscent of previous New Order and Electronic releases.

It's good to have them back after the breakup with Hook.

Yes, I'm a longtime fan of Joy Division/New Order. I have been an avid follower since first hearing Unknown Pleasures in 1981. Although, I suppose I should add that I am very selective about which songs of theirs (New Order) I like and which ones to me are just "filler". I would say that the majority of the songs released by New Order (not including their side projects, a lot of which were truly great) from Republic onwards have been mostly filler (to me primarily due to the lyrics) with just one or two standout tracks per album. Now - on to this new cd: Sorry, but I found most of it to be the kind of "filler" I was describing above. Now don't get me wrong... The songs are well-crafted, and the music is very easy-going and pleasant. I guess I was just hoping some of it would be a little more creative or have more of an edge to it. The songs that caught my attention are: Walk On Silver Water, Split The Atom, and my fav: Shine Like The Sun. Bernard and friends are not breaking any new ground here, and that's OK - I'm just hoping these guys get a little more creative next time.

I am so rarely blown away by any CD these days. But this CD has blown me away. From start to finish this is a fantastic CD - and there are very few weak spots.

I was hopeful that I would get 1 or 2 great songs out of this CD. Instead I have had it locked on to my stereo and in my car - playing it non-stop.

This is not New Order. But imagine New Order with less synth and guitar driven - and there you have it. It is better than the Electronic albums - which I also thought were solid efforts.

Bernard Sumner is officially a genius. The guy always always always come through with great music. I also like that Sumner let others take lead vocals on a couple tracks - it really adds to the whole feel of the album to have Sumner singing backing vocals.

I don't think this would have been a better CD with Hook playing bass. And believe me, as a huge Hook fan, I am saying something.

Just buy the CD. Don't worry - it will NOT dissapoint you.

Everything here is 100% solid. You'll hear strains of New Order here and there. There's some nice guitar work. Sumner sings in his usual way. Lyrics are about relationships though it has to be said they are VERY generic lyrics. The other singer has a pleasant baritone. Not really sure this is memorable stuff though.

I wouldnt have minded a singer who could really let loose over the instruments since the tracks are fairly stripped down instrumentally. One track sounds way too much like Coldplay and that's not cool. Stronger vocal melodies wouldnt have hurt since all of these tracks are essentially pop songs. Nothing wrong with pop but these tracks feel bloodless to a fault.

I've been a fan of New Order, Electronic, The Other Two, etc. etc. This CD is absolutely amazing! Checking them out in Chicago on 11/18. Please please please give this CD a listen with headphones---the recording is wonderful. So happy with this CD!

It's no secret that Bad Lieutenant consists of New Order minus Peter Hook. The unfortunate parting of ways for New Order is truly sad given that they were one of the defining bands of the 80's New Wave movement.

Hook's signature bass was core to New Order's sound, so Bernard Sumner has had to reshape Bad Lieutenant's sound without Hook's contributions. For the most part, Sumner and company succeed. "Never Cry Another Tear" is a great debut for the band. "Sink or Swim" and "Twist of Fate" are my favorite tracks and remind me of later New Order at its best. Jake Evans adds his vocals in places and is an interesting, fresh new voice. There are a few weak links -

All in all - recommended - got it a few days after its debut for <$3 for the album. What a deal!

This is pure unadulterated pop/rock at its best. All the songs are catchy and make for a good listen. The melodies keep you coming back for more, a good return for New Order. Highly reccomended for anyone who liked their earlier work or is looking for something uncomplicated that sounds good.

This album will be endlessly compared to New Order, but judge it on its own merit - refreshingly old-fashioned, finely crafted English guitar alterna-pop. Bernard Sumner sounds refreshed and re-energized with his new crew, and is at the top of his game vocally and lyrically here. Bandmate Jake Evans contributes lead vocals on a couple of tracks, including one of the best on the album, "Shine Like the Sun".
Many ill-informed folks will also say that the band features Stephen Morris from New Order and Alex James of Blur, making Bad Lieutenant sound like a supergroup, but this isn't quite true. Morris is indeed now a full time member of the band but only plays on 2 tracks on the album, & James, as it states on the band's website, "involvement in Bad Lieutenant doesn't stretch any further than his pitching in on a few recording sessions." The current line-up is Bernard Sumner (vocals/guitar), Stephen Morris (drums), Phil Cunningham (guitar/keyboards/vocals), Jake Evans (vocals/guitar), Tom Chapman (bass).
Very good for a first album from a new combo and highly-recommended, especially for fans of New Order/Electronic & British indie/alternative. Looking forward to seeing Bad Lieutenant on their US tour!